Medical Emergency in Seoul: English-Speaking 24/7 ER & Pharmacy Finder

Emergency numbers to save now

Program 119 (ambulance/fire) and 112 (police) into your phone before you need them, and also save 1330, the Korea Travel Hotline, which provides tourist-focused multilingual assistance around the clock.

Hospitals with dedicated international clinics

Several major Seoul hospitals operate international health centers with English-speaking staff and coordinators specifically for foreign patients; asking your hotel concierge for the nearest one, or searching for a hospital's designated international clinic desk, is generally faster than a random walk-in visit.

Finding a late-night pharmacy

Large hospitals typically have an attached pharmacy that serves emergency room patients outside normal pharmacy hours, and a small number of standalone 24-hour pharmacies operate in dense districts like Gangnam and near major transit hubs -- ask hotel staff or use a map app filtered for pharmacies open now.

What to bring and prepare

Carry a copy of your travel insurance information, a list of any medications or allergies, and your passport, since Korean hospitals generally ask for identification on intake even in urgent situations.

Useful Korean

Frequently asked questions

What number should I call in a medical emergency?

Dial 119 for ambulance and fire services anywhere in Korea; operators increasingly have access to interpretation support, and you can also request the tourist interpretation line if you need help communicating.

Is there a dedicated tourist help line?

Yes, the 1330 Korea Travel Hotline offers multilingual support and can help connect you with appropriate medical services or interpret over the phone in an urgent situation.

Are pharmacies open late at night?

Most neighborhood pharmacies close in the evening, but larger hospital-affiliated pharmacies and a smaller number of 24-hour pharmacies exist in major districts, so checking ahead or asking hotel staff for the nearest one is worthwhile.